Stage and Screen Star Brent Barrett to replace Judy McLane as Donnell Broadway Concert Series Guest Artist
Brent Barrett, a world-renowned vocal, stage and television entertainer, will perform this weekend as part of the University of Findlay’s Donnell Broadway Concert Series. Barrett will replace Broadway star Judy McLane, who is ill.
Barrett’s concert will be held at the same time that McLane’s was scheduled to take place, this Sunday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s TLB Auditorium. Tickets already purchased for the McLane show will be accepted. There are still tickets available. Tickets (which include handling fees) are $28 for adults, $23 for senior citizens and $11 for non-UF students. They can be purchased at the Marathon Performing Arts Center’s box office at 200 W. Main Cross St., or online at www.marathoncenterarts.org. They can also be purchased at the door on the night of the concert. Admission will be free for UF students, faculty and staff with a valid University ID.
The University is thrilled to be hosting Barrett for a second time; he also served as the Donnell Broadway Concert Series guest artist in 2009. He is currently reprising his role as Billy Flynn in the Tony Award-winning hit, “Chicago – The Musical,” for which he received an LA Drama Critics Award.
Prior to his Broadway return, he relocated to Las Vegas where he was asked to open the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular.” Barrett starred in the title role in the brand new $40 million theater, at the Venetian Hotel, for two years to sold-out houses.
Barrett received an Olivier Award nomination for his starring role in the London premiere of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “Kiss Me, Kate.” His acclaimed performance was recorded for broadcast on PBS and is available on DVD. He also starred in the City Center “Encores!” production of “The Pajama Game” and as King Arthur in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Camelot.” Other Broadway roles include Frank Butler in the Broadway revival of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” opposite Reba McEntire, Charles Castelton in the Alan Jay Lerner musical “Dance a Little Closer” and Baron Felix Von Gaigern in “Grand Hotel.”
Barrett made his Broadway debut as Tony in the 1980 revival of “West Side Story,” which he subsequently reprised in the International Tour. Additional New York performances include Maximillion in the Broadway revival of “Candide,” and Tommy Albright in New York City Opera’s production of “Brigadoon.” In New Zealand, he appears as Archibald in that country’s production of “The Secret Garden.” On the road, Brent played Victor Duchesi in the pre-Broadway tour of “Busker Alley” with Tommy Tune, and he starred opposite Cathy Rigby in the National Tour of “Annie Get Your Gun.”
Barrett received critical acclaim when he performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert and Royal Festival Halls in London, with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, Minnesota Opera, Opera Pacific, Michigan Opera, Kentucky Opera, and the Birmingham Symphony. He is the founding member and producer of “The Broadway Tenors.” He has recorded three solo albums, including “”The Alan Jay Lerner Album,” “The Kander and Ebb Album” and “Christmas Mornings.” Barrett can also be heard on studio recordings of “Brigadoon,” “Grand Hotel,” “Dance a Little Closer,” “Closer than Ever,” “Show Stoppers,” “the Busby Berkeley Album,” “Lost in Boston IV,” “Unsung Musicals, Vol. III” and “the Maury Yeston Songbook.”
On television and in film Barrett was featured in “The Producers,” “Hercules,” “Longtime Champion,” “All My Children,” “Another World” and Guiding Light.”
More information on Brent Barrett can be found at his website at www.brentbarrett.com